From the first time I heard about Paul (the morning after he arsoned the Man during my 1st burn) until now, I have wondered what motivated him to do what he does... It is a shame he was unable to find what he needed.

{sigh}

Love Rice

Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."

He probably needed involuntary commitment, or at least someone to make sure he took his meds...

That's a little harsh, I guess. I know first hand how brutal bi-polar can be--and Scott was not in Addis' league.This is also reference in Rest in Peace, and Knowmad bumped Suicidal Tendencies. Not sure if this should be attached to one of the earlier Addis threads.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

theCryptofishist wrote:He probably needed involuntary commitment, or at least someone to make sure he took his meds...

That's a little harsh, I guess. I know first hand how brutal bi-polar can be--and Scott was not in Addis' league.This is also reference in Rest in Peace, and Knowmad bumped Suicidal Tendencies. Not sure if this should be attached to one of the earlier Addis threads.

No, not harsh at all. Necessary and frequently heart-wrenching.

My ex is bipolar, sometimes suicidal. Trying to help, always worrying, answering tough questions from the kids. Yah, I have some 1st hand experience myself. 7 years after the divorce and 2 years since I last had any contact with her and the feelings are still raw. After years of struggling to keep her going I was done. I had nothing more to give, realized that I was close to the edge myself.

For me, becoming a burner was the therapy I needed to being myself again. The community, creativity and general anarchy of Burning Man helped a hell of a lot in making me whole again.

Mental illness affects more than the individual who has it....

Love Rice

Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."

many different persons' special needs leave us aching and yeah, for years BRC was where I went to free myself up to work with thembut this year such intrusions that I think either those people forgot their meds or I am too burned

My only knowledge of Paul is from second hand accounts of the early burn and then a nice story my friend posted on FB this morning. I feel sad for his family and friends. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Very sad.

I have always been ambivalent about the early burn, though I know some people were very angry. I would have liked to have seen it, mostly to be witness to the kickass efforts to rebuild a whole 'nother man in time for the regularly scheduled program. I think the jail time was a bit extreme, but many criminal sentences are.

Paul, may your soul find the peace it needs, and may your family and friends cherish sweet and fun memories.

the early burn was in total disregard of the many persons who contributed their love and energy to build and conceive BRChow to prevent nuts from owning the demise of the man may be the question is a prison the solution probably

The prison sentence was related to the conviction of "arson of an occupied structure", much like setting an occupied movie theater on fire. There were people in the pavilion when the fire was started. I was there that night, but got to the Man after the fire was in full blaze and didn't see it start. It was a bit pathetic to see fire hoses spraying it down to put out the flames.

I will add that this was on Monday night/Tuesday morning at 3:00am. There was a full moon and then a rare full lunar eclipse, and the early burn coincided with the 3:00am peak of the eclipse. It was extremely eerie and ominous that night, as the playa was pitch dark and nearly deserted because it was so early in the week.

Shambala wrote:The prison sentence was related to the conviction of "arson of an occupied structure", much like setting an occupied movie theater on fire.

I'm not arguing about the legitimacy of concern as to his behavior, he was dangerous. I don't see prison as having done him (or anyone else) any good and he probably suffered unnecessarily during his year there. It would have been cheaper to get him proper mental health services as well, almost certainly. But it doesn't feel as good as slamming the door of a cell, and that's why we do it.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

and the person who was with me watching the early burn and the eclipse was someone who was attempting to cope with his illnessfull impactthe replacement to a form of sense was a huge issueso great how the community worked

Anyone who would set an occupied structure on fire would be considered mentally ill. At what point do you send a message to others that "you will go to jail if you do this"? Anyone who commits serious crimes that could cause serious injury or death, would go for counseling in order to avoid jail. No doubt he was mentally ill, but at what point does the public need to be protected?

Lest we forget, he also attempted to burn down Grace Cathedral in SF. There is a place that people go, when they do these kind of things without regard for human life. I believe our prison system is seriously flawed, but then he knew where he was going once he did what he did. If I were to go out and firebomb a local diner, I know EXACTLY where I'm going, if I get caught!

Shambala wrote:Anyone who would set an occupied structure on fire would be considered mentally ill.

No, some people are just that nasty. And others can do all sorts of vile stuff in wartime. (And maybe they come out of that mentally ill, but maybe not.)As for the rest, I think you really did not understand what I was saying, but I don't want to argue the point...

Knowmad, will you give me a hug?

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Despair can be a big hole to try and climb out of. When mixed with a mental illness (was Paul actually Dx with one?) it can be over-whelming, consuming, and an escape from the present becomes a viable option.

Myself, I prefer my escape to be on my boat. Though Idaho or Montana is looking pretty nice lately.

Excuse me Ma'am, your going to feel a small prick._______________________________________

From the first time I heard about Paul (the morning after he arsoned the Man during my 1st burn) until now, I have wondered what motivated him to do what he does... It is a shame he was unable to find what he needed.